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The Galaxy's Largest Diamond

Posted by michael on from the you-pay-shipping dept.

unassimilatible writes "The Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics reports 'to impress your favorite lady this Valentine's Day, get her the galaxy's largest diamond.' A newly discovered cosmic diamond is a chunk of crystallized carbon 50 light-years from the Earth in the constellation Centaurus. It is 2,500 miles across and weighs 5 million trillion trillion pounds, which translates to approximately 10 billion trillion trillion carats, or a one followed by 34 zeros. A cheesy, unrealistic simulation is also available. AP has a story as well."

5 of 364 comments (clear)

  1. Arthur C. Clarke's 2063: Odyssey Three by dnahelix · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    It's been a long time since I've read it, but I believe in Odyssey Three after Jupiter becomes a second sun, it's methane core is compressed to crystallized carbon (a giant diamond) and is expelled and lands on Europa and sinks into the icey sea. I remember a scene where an astronauton Europa picks up a shard of diamond and it slices through his space suit, killing him.

    Does anyone remember more about this book?

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    1. Re:Arthur C. Clarke's 2063: Odyssey Three by Jacer · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      I was pretty sure that was in 2010. The core of Jupiter is discovered to be a diamond roughly the size of the Earth. Then again, it's been ages since I've read them.

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    2. Re:Arthur C. Clarke's 2063: Odyssey Three by blincoln · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      Yes, that's correct. In 2061 there were a number of uses for the massive amounts of diamond mentioned, including preserving the World Trade Center (I think? It's been awhile since I read it, but it was one of the famous buildings on the East Coast) by covering it with a thin layer.

      I thought 2001 and 2010 were better, but all three were far superior to 3001.

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  2. Re: WHOOPS! I mean 2061: Odyssey Three by dnahelix · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    2061: Odyssey Three is the title. Sorry Arthur.

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  3. Re:sell it on ebay! by adzoox · · Score: 0, Offtopic
    "Hey, has anybody thought about selling the thing on ebay? Auction starting at $1, self-collectors only"

    Terms: I only accept wire transfers or western union money orders. I do NOT accept Paypal because of this website www.paypalsucks.com. NO ESCROW.

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